A young child in an orphanage watches friends play outside while confined to a single room. An elderly patient at a palliative care centre longs to sit in the sunshine or join others for meals in the common area. For hundreds of individuals across the Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts, limited mobility had reduced their world to the boundaries of their immediate surroundings.
The Lions of District 318D set out to erase these boundaries through their Wheels of Hope initiative.
Pooling resources, volunteers, and logistical expertise, more than 220 Lions Clubs in District 318D came together under the leadership of District Governor James Valappila, creating a powerful network of service to restore mobility to 500 individuals.
On May 31, 2025, Thrissur Town Hall became the central distribution point for this coordinated effort to deliver wheelchairs to palliative care centres and orphanages across three revenue districts. Metropolitan Archbishop Andrews Thazhath inaugurated the program, emphasizing the importance of community service and its impact on the lives of the less fortunate. The keynote address was delivered by Shri P. Balachandran, a distinguished Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, who commended the Lions Clubs for their unwavering commitment to social causes. He highlighted how the initiative would not only provide physical support but also uplift the spirits of beneficiaries who often struggle with chronic challenges. Guest of Honour Multiple Council Chairperson Tony Enokkaran, reinforced the Lions’ commitment to service by sharing inspiring stories of similar initiatives across the region.
The joy and gratitude of the beneficiaries were evident as they received their wheelchairs — these gifts represented more than mobility: they embodied dignity, independence, and connection to their communities.
The ‘Wheels of Hope’ initiative was a reminder that every act of service opens doors to possibility — and sometimes even provides the wheels to roll through them.